this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2024
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Strange, I take the exact opposite reading of that quote: They do each have a gender identity regardless of form (or lack thereof), and can take physical form of their choosing. Yes they can change form (incl outward-presenting sex) -- that is, they have the metaphysical power to do so -- but AFAIK* there are no instances of an ainur choosing a physical form with a sex that is incongruent with their gender identity. I.E., they are always cisgender in the legendarium.
* I feel like there was one instance of someone taking a disguise of another differently-genedered character but I can't recall who it was or if I'm imagining this.
As for societal gender, it absolutely exists in Tolkien's world amongst most of the races/societies that we have exposure to.
* Edited to add some Ainur examples! We started this conversation explictly about Maiar/Valar/Ainur and I went off track to talk about the non-celestial races. Sorry about that.